Great Contraption Race an enjoyable success

by jmaloni

Sat, Aug 9th 2014 07:55 am

by Terry Duffy

The
first-ever Great Contraption Race, held to benefit the It Happened to Alexa
Foundation of Lewiston, went off without a hitch last Saturday morning in the
lower Niagara River waters between Lewiston and Youngstown. Months in planning,
this multi-happening event saw the involvement of the Lewiston, Youngstown and
the greater Buffalo business communities, as well as the participation of
scores of area residents.

Activities
were plenty, and included area bar/restaurants offering benefit GCR drink
concoction specials in the weeks leading to the event; an elaborate pre-race
champagne social at the Barton Hill Hotel; a VIP cruise attended by 135 aboard
the all-new Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours' paddleboat, the Niagara Belle; and the
inaugural race itself witnessed by hundreds.

Dozens
participated, both in teams on shore and aboard the 23 truly creative
contraptions in the river - all under the watchful eye of a well-structured GCR
boat safety committee, the Lewiston No. 1 Volunteer Fire Co. fireboat and U.S.
Coast Guard personnel. And other than many a tired and waterlogged participant,
no problems were reported whatsoever in the river.

All
said, it was a fun-filled event, from the opening guns by Old Fort Niagara
soldiers on the Lewiston docks to downriver at the Youngstown south docks and
the all-day party in Veterans Park that followed.

"First
and foremost, I can't thank you all enough for your time and exemplary effort
in making the inaugural Great Contraption Race a huge success!," said Ellen
Augello, executive director of the It Happened to Alexa Foundation. Augello
reported a preliminary total of $15,000 raised thus far from the event and said
contributions are still coming in. "We gained many new supporters and created a
wonderful platform to build on!"

"Thank
you to everyone that made the inaugural Great Contraption Race a huge success,"
continued the Alexa Foundation in a statement. "Great competitors, great
committee and volunteers! Next year will be even bigger and better! Thank you
from the staff, board of directors and founders of the Alexa Foundation!"

For
more information on the It Happened to Alexa Foundation and to contribute, visitwww.ithappenedtoalexa.org or
call 1-877-77-ALEXA. (photos by Kevin and Dawn Cobello, K&D Action Photo
and Aerial Imaging)